Tape recorder



Feb. 12 1924.

E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT TAPE RECORDER Filed June 21, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1INVE1VTOR,

Feb. 12 1924.

E. E. KLEIN SCHMIDT TAPE RECORDER Filed June 21, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2IXVEIVTOR.

Feb. 12 1924. 1,483,353

E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT TAPE RECORDER Filed June 21, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WIYWESS: I INVEN TOR.

I I flaw A TTORNEYS Patented Feb. 12, 1924.

UNITED STATES I 1,483,353 PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. KLIHNSOHMIDT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KLEINSCHMIDTELECTRIC COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TAPE RECORDER.

Application filed June 21, 1920. Serial No. 390,800.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that EDWARD E. KLEIN- SCHMIDT, a citizen of the United.States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of NewYork, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tape Recordersof which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in tape recorders of the typeemployed in firealarm stations, district messenger oflices, etc.,

for producing a permanent record of signals received, by punching orotherwise marking a paper tape.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a pluralit ofrecorders disposed side by side, and individually removable from thesupports on which they are mounted, and. a common operating member forthe various recorders so positioned and connected to the variousrecorders that individual recorders may be removed for repair orother'purpose without disturbing the operation of the common operatingmember or of the remainin recorders.

Another object o the invention is the provision of novel means forfeeding the tape forward, and which does not injure the tape, though apart of the means is continually rotating.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a singleoperating means for the punch recorder and the tape feedin -means.

n the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated one embodiment ofthe invention, Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing a number of taperecorders arranged side by side.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the motors andshaft actuated thereby for operating the recorders.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through Figs. 1 and 2, andillustrating the connection between the motor-operated shaft and therecording, mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through one of the recorders.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof, and.

ings at 9 in a casing 9. The inner ends of the shafts 7 and 7 arecoupled to shaft 9 having its bearings at 9 within the casing. On thisshaft is secured a gear 10, while suitable pawl and ratchet mechanismare inter posed between the inner ends of shafts 7, 7 and shaft 9*,respectively, so that shaft 9 may be operated by either of shafts 7 or7.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, motor 6 receives current from asuitable generator 12 over conductors 13 and 1-4, the connections beingsuch that this motor is normally connected in circuit, while reservemotor 6 receives its current from reserve generator 24, here shown as abattery in a. manner more fully hereinafter explained. A magnet 15 isincluded in the circuit of motor 6, and when armature 16 is attracted,contact member 17 bridges contacts 18 and 19 in the circuit of motor 6.Now in case the motor or any part of the circuit thereof is disabled,magnet 15 is de-energized, contact member 17 drops against contacts 20and 21 and closes a circuit to motor 6 which is connected by conductors22 and 23 to the battery or other suitable source of electric energy 24,so that there is always a motor available'for operating the recordingmechanism. A signal, such as a bell 25, is preferably connected acrossmotor 6 and in the circuit of battery 24 to indicate when motor 6 is noperating.

Gear 10 secured to shaft 9 is engaged by gear 26 (see Fig. 3) secured onthe lower end of an upwardly extending shaft 27, having its hearing at28 in casing 9 and held 111 position by collar 29 immediately above thecasing secured to the shaft by setscrew 30. The upper end of shaft 27has its bearing in bracket 31 secured? by bolts 32, or otherwise, toframe 36. A worm wheel 33 secured on the upper end of shaft 27 engages aworm wheel 34 secured on shaft 35 having its bearings (not shown) instationary parts.

anel frames 37 are formed below and above with flanges 38 and 39 whichengage stationary members 36, and are secured thereto by screws or bolts39. Tape 40 on which the record is made, is fed to the recorder fromreel 41, having its bearings at 42 in bracket arm 43. The tape is led tothe recording mechanism by a guide plate 44 held on bracket 45 which issecured to, or integral with the anel frame, a suitable wedge-shaped memr 46 preferably being (ill interposed between plates 44 and 45 to giveto plate 44 the proper angle, the parts being secured together by screws47. The plate at the front of the panel is curved downwardly, asindicated, and extends to a position behind die plate 48 and immediatelyin front of die plate 49, the latter being of smaller dimensions thanplate 48, so that the tape which passes in front of guide plate 44 isdirected between die plates 48 and 49.

In the embodiment of the invention here illustrated, a record is made bypunching the tape. For this purpose punch 50 passes through theregistering openings in the die plates 48, 49 and is normally pressedaway from the tape by coil spring 51 engaging at one end die plate 49,and at its other end a collar 52 secured on punch 50. The inner end ofthe punch is guided by stationary plate or bracket 53.

The feeding mechanism for tape-4O cornprises gear 54 secured on shaft 35and in mesh with gear secured on shaft 56 having its hearings in theframe of the panel, there being one gear 55 and shaft 56 for eachrecording mechanism. A feed wheel 57, milled on its periphery, is alsosecured on shaft 56 is continuously rotated, and engages tape 40 on itsouter face. The tape is fed forwardly by segment 58 also milled on itsouter face, and which is pivoted at 59 on bracket 60 secured on armature61 of electromagnet 62. The armature pivoted at 63, is in the form of abell-crank provided with a downward extension 64 on which is secured anadjustable screw 65, the head of which engages the inner end of punch50. Guide plate 44 is provided with an opening 66 between feed wheel 57and segment 58 to permit the segment to engage the tape. A coil spring67 is connected to segment 58, as shown in Fig. 4, and tends to move thesegment to the upper position. shown in Fig. 4, against stop 68. Whenmagnet 62 is deenergized, spring 51 surrounding punch 50 forces armature61 away from the magnet and moves pivot of segment 58 to the left, asviewed in Fig. 4. and brings segment 58 into engagement with the tapeopposite feed wheel 57, and as the latter is continuously rotated, asabove stated, tape 40 and segment 58 are moved downwardly. When segment58 reaches its lowermost position, a cam wedge 69, which is secured onthe side of segment 58, and preferably extends beyond the outer face ofsegment 58, engages a smooth wheel 70 on shaft 56 and forces segment 58away from tape 40 to stop the feed. and as the segment is now entirelyout of engagement with the tape, the latter is not injured by thecontinued rotation of feed wheel 57. I

The conductors for magnet 62 are indi cated at 71 and 72, are connectedto binding posts 73 and 74, respectively, and extend one or more pointswhere circuit closers are provided, and from which signals are to besent to the recording mechanism in any well-- known manner. A removablereceptacle 75 is preferably provided in front of die plates 48, 49 forreceiving the tape punchings.

The operation of the recorders will readily be understood from theforegoing description, and is as follows In normal condition, magnet 62is de-energized, segment 58 is in downward position with wedge 69engaging wheel 70, and tape 40 presents an unperforated surface beforepunch 50. When the first impulse of any signal or combination ofimpulses comes in, magnet 62 will be energized, causing the head ofscrew 65 to force plunger 50 through the tape. At the same time, pivot59 of segment 58 will be thrown to the right in Fig. 4, disengagingwedge 69 from rotating wheel 70. Segment 58 Wlll then rotate about pivot59 under lnfluence of its spring to its upperposition as shown in Fig.4. At the end i of the first impulse, magnet 62 will be deenergized,first permitting punch 50 to be withdrawn from the tape by the action ofspring 51, and thereafter permits segments 58 to force tape 40 againstrotating feed wheel 57. As soon as this occurs tape 40 will be advanced,and at the same time segment 58 will be rotated downwardly about pivot59. Thereafter as long as impulses are received in the particularseries, when magnet 62 is energized. segment 58 will first be withdrawnfrom engagement with the tape causing the tape to stop, the

punch will then be forced through the tape,-

segment 5.8 will be returned to its upper position, and as magnet 62 isde-energized, the punch will be withdrawn from the tape and segment 58will reengage the tape and force it against wheel 57 again causing thetape to feed. until the last impulse of a series has been received. whenmagnet 62 will remain deenergized. segment 58 will be rotated downwardlyabout. its pivot until wedge 69 engages wheel YO, disengaging thesegment; from the tape and stopping the feed of the tape. The mechanismwill then be in normal position-and ready for reception of next signalcombination. Inasmuch as the reception of an impulse stops the tape feedat any point in the rotation of segment 58, it will be clear that therelative spacing of the perforations in a series may be varied withincertain limits, but the spacing be tween series of perforations willremain substantially uniform, and will be greater than the spacingbetween the perforations in the series or combination.

It will. be apparent that the recording mechanism on any panel may beremoved by ply idrawing the panel fri n device, and as the operatingThis latter action continues I shaft 35 is located to the rear thereof,that flOlIl; the tape when sai such withdrawal of an individualrecording set will not interfere with the operation of the remainingunits.

It will also be apparent that the record is produced by the same magnetwhich withdraws the feeding segment from the tape, and that the tapewill always be punched at a time when its movement has ceased.

Vhat is claimed as new,is:

1. In a tape recorder, a feed wheel for the tape, a movable segmentengaging the tape on its opposite side from the feed wheel, and meansfor moving said segment away from the tape operable when said segmentreaches its forward limit of movement.

2. In a tape recorder, a rotatable feed wheel for the tape, a pivotedsegment disposed on the opposite side of the tape from said feed wheel,means for bringin .said segment into and out of engagement with the tapeopposite said feed wheel, and additional means for moving saidsegmentaway from the tape when said segment reaches its forward limit ofmovement.

3. In a tape recorder, a rotatable feed wheel for the tape, a pivotedsegment disposed on the opposite side of the tape from said feed wheel,means for bringing said segment into and out of engagement with the tapeopposite said feed wheel, and additional means comprising a cam securedto said segment for disenga ing said segment segment reaches its forwardlimit of movement.

4. In a tape recorder, a rotatable feed wheel for the tape, a pivotedsegment disposed on the opposite side of the tape from said feed wheel,means for bringing said segment into and out of engagement with the tapeopposite said feed wheel, a wheel mounted on the shaft of said feedwheel out of register with the tape and a cam movable with said segmentand adapted to eng: c said wheel whereby said segment is forced awayfrom the tape when it reaches its forward limit of movement.

5. In a tape recorder, a movable recording member, mechanism comprisinga rotatable feed wheel and a pivoted segment for feeding the tapeforwardly, and a single elec-.

tromagnetio device for operating said recording member and forwithdrawing said segment from engagement with the tape.

6. In a tape recorder, a movable recording member, mechanism comprisinga rotatable feed wheel and a pivoted segment for feeding the tapeforwardly, an electromagnet and its armature, and associated means foroperating said recording mechanism and for withdrawing said segment fromengagement with the tape by the movement of said armature.

7. In a tape recorder, a movable recording member, mechanism comprisinga rotatable feed wheel and a pivoted segment for feeding the tapeforwardly, an electromagnet, a pivoted armature therefor provided withtwo arms, and associated means for actuating the recording mechanism byone arm .of said armature and for withdrawing said segment fromengagement with the paper by the other arm of said armature.

8. A plurality of tape recorders having front p ates aligned side byside, a feed wheel for each recorder in front of its front plate, arotatable shaft common to all recorders in the rear of saidfront plates,and means for actuating said feed wheels from said shaft.

9. A plurality of tape recorders having front plates aligned side byside, a feed wheel for each recorder in front of its front plate, arotatable shaft common to all recorders in the rear of said frontplates, means for actuating said feed wheels from saidshaft, and anoscillatable segement for each recorder to cooperate with its feed wheelin feeding the recorder tape.

10. In combination, a rotatable feed wheel for the tape of a taperecorder, an oscillatable segment for said tape, means for bringing saidsegment into engagement with said tape, and additional means for movingsaid segment away from said ta e.

EDWARD E. KLEINSCIIMIDT.

